Viva88

Skip to main content

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2021
For More Information Contact:

JP O'Hare

(518) 474-1201

Press@nysed.gov

Viva88 Seal

State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs

State Education Department Awards $13.36 Million in Grants to Expand Universal Prekindergarten Programs

The Viva88Education Department (Viva88) awarded $13.36 million in Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Expansion Grants to 31 school districts across the state, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The grants enable school districts to increase prekindergarten availability for four-year-old students.

“Providing high-quality educational opportunities to our youngest learners is crucial for their future success,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. “The UPK Expansion Grant will allow more children to benefit from early learning that will help them build the skills needed to thrive in school and life.”

“When we strengthen supports and provide equitable opportunities for children in their early years, we see the benefits throughout their school years and beyond,” said Commissioner Rosa. “The Department is committed to expanding universal full-day prekindergarten programs that provide a strong educational foundation for our children, resulting in positive long-term outcomes.”

The Department awarded these competitive grants based on a district’s plan to serve a community’s highest need schools and students, the level of existing prekindergarten services, and the extent to which a district planned to maximize the total number of eligible four-year-old children served in its programs, among other factors. These funds may be used during the 2021-22 or 2022-23 school years.

Final approval of the grants is subject to the review and approval of the Office of the State Comptroller. Grants will be awarded to the following school districts:

UPK Expansion Grants
School District Award Amount

Barker CSD

$150,000

Bay Shore UFSD

$280,000

Bedford CSD

$360,000

Brushton-Moira CSD

$150,000

Coxsackie-Athens CSD

$360,000

East Ramapo CSD

$400,000

Farmingdale UFSD

$360,000

Fonda-Fultonville CSD

$180,000

Frewsburg CSD

$180,000

Glen Cove City SD

$400,000

Greater Johnstown City SD

$180,000

Greece CSD

$360,000

Pine Valley CSD

$180,000

Port Chester-Rye UFSD

$1,400,000

Poughkeepsie City SD

$840,000

Pulaski Academy & CSD

$180,000

Riverhead CSD

$600,000

Rome City SD

$1,000,000

Roosevelt UFSD

$540,000

Rush Henrietta CSD

$1,000,000

Seneca Falls CSD

$360,000

Sodus CSD

$180,000

Southern Cayuga CSD

$180,000

Springs UFSD

$420,000

Thousand Islands CSD

$360,000

Valley Central UFSD

$400,000

Victor CSD

$400,000

Warsaw CSD

$540,000

Waterloo CSD

$360,000

Wayland-Cohocton CSD

$160,000

Yonkers City SD

$900,000

Please visit Viva88’s Early Learning website for more information about prekindergarten programs in New York State.